Hyundai Staria News

Hyundai Australia has detailed some major additions to its Staria people mover and Staria Load commercial van line-ups.Highlighting the changes is a new hybrid powertrain that will be offered across both the Staria Load line-up, as well as the new Staria Lounge seven-seat flagship people mover.The Staria Load Hybrid is the first series-parallel hybrid commercial van offered in Australia, overlooking the Transit Custom PHEV which, as the name suggests, is a plug-in hybrid.Power comes from a familiar set-up combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, like the Carnival Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid, but has a higher total system output of 180kW.Hybrid versions of the Staria Load and Staria Lounge are due to launch in Australia in June.The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine still feature in the entry-level Staria people mover, which is due at dealers this month, but the latter engine option is front-wheel drive, rather than all-wheel drive.Additionally, an electric version of the Staria Load is due to launch in Australia in the second half of 2026. It has a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and is fed by a 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack.Other changes made to the Staria and Staria Load line-up with this model year 2027 (MY27) update include a new front fascia with a different lighting signature, plus vertical side-mounted tail-lights.All versions of the Staria Load have a two-seat configuration, with the pre-update five-seat variant being discontinued.2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia pricing:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia powertrain and efficiency:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia dimensions:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia standard equipment:Staria Load highlights:Two-seat configuration17-inch steel wheelsFull-size spare wheelLiftback rear tailgate (rear barn doors available)Halogen headlights4.2-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system (NEW)Apple CarPlay and Android AutoOver-the-air updates (NEW)Keyless entry and push-button start (NEW)Electric park brakeLeather-wrapped steering wheelCloth upholsteryStaria Load Hybrid adds:Single-zone climate controlStaria Load Electric adds:12.3-inch digital instrument clusterBattery heating systemShift-by-wire gear selectorSatellite navigationStaria Load Premium adds:17-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsPower tailgateElectrochromic rear-view mirrorHeated steering wheelHeated front seatsStaria highlights:Eight-seat configuration18-inch alloy wheelsFull-size spare wheelLED headlights4.2-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system (NEW)Over-the-air updates (NEW)Front single-zone climate controlRear manual climate controlKeyless entry and push-button start (NEW)Cloth upholsteryStaria Lounge adds:Seven-seat configurationProjector LED headlightsSatin chrome door handlesDeluxe door scuff platesPrivacy glassDual power-sliding side doorsDual sunroofsPower tailgate12.3-inch digital instrument clusterInterior ambient lightingSuede rooflinerMetal pedalsRear single-zone climate controlNappa leather upholsteryHeated front and rear seats2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia safety:The Hyundai Staria received a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2021, whereas the Staria Load received a Platinum collision avoidance rating based on testing in 2022.Standard safety highlights include:Seven airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistLane centringIntelligent speed limit assistAdaptive cruise controlFront and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraA surround-view camera is now only offered on the Staria Load Premium and Staria Lounge.2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia warranty and servicing:Like all Hyundais, the Staria and Staria Load are now covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery in the hybrid and electric models are covered for eight years or 160,000km.Logbook servicing and pricing hasn’t been detailed yet.

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

A new electric people mover has just been announced. Hyundai has revealed an all-electric version of its Staria people mover at the Brussels motor show. It is unclear at this stage whether we will see the new electric Staria down under.A spokesperson for Hyundai Australia said the brand is currently reviewing the business case for the Staria Electric, but there are no plans to launch it locally at the moment. The Staria Electric will be built in Hyundai’s manufacturing plant in Ulsan, South Korea, which increases the viability of it being shipped to Australia. The Staria EV would enter the fray in the growing electric people mover market where it would rival the Volkswagen ID. Buzz and Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer.There is no indication on the Staria price, but those two rivals start north of the 70K.A closer competitor would be Kia’s PV5, which is scheduled for an Australian launch later this year. The Staria EV measures 5255mm in length, which is significantly longer than its rivals. Overseas it will be available with two configurations — a seven-seater and a nine-seater.It is similar in size to the popular Kia Carnival, but that people-mover only comes with diesel and hybrid power. The regular Staria is the second-best selling people mover in Australia, but still a long way behind the Carnival.It was confirmed late last year Australia would get an updated Staria in 2026, but it now seems unlikely to be joined at the same time by an electric variant.The Staria Electric will go on sale in South Korea and Europe in the first half of this year, with additional markets coming after that.The Staria gets a 160kW electric motor, powering the front wheels, with a top speed of 184km/h. The newly-announced electric Staria features a 84kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery with an estimated range of up to 400km (WLTP).It will also feature 800-volt architecture, enabling DC fast charging from 10-80 per cent in around 20 minutes.There will be vehicle-to-load functionality, and a braked towing capacity of up to 2000kg. On the inside there are dual 12.3-inch digital displays, as well as an electric-variant-specific lighting design. Front and second-row seats will be heated and ventilated as standard. 

Hyundai has detailed an update for its spaceage-looking Staria people mover and Staria Load commercial van in South Korea, while an electric version looms.The South Korean carmaker has confirmed the updated Staria will arrive in Australia during 2026 with local specifications to be confirmed closer to its local launch.There have been no major changes made to the Staria’s exterior besides a slightly altered grille and daytime running light (DRL) set-ups.The bigger changes are on the inside. A highlight is a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display (up from 10.25-inches) that runs Hyundai’s latest ccNC multimedia system.It offers an updated graphical interface, plus the ability for over-the-air software updates. It’s also expected to bring wireless smartphone mirroring capability.The touch-sensitive climate control buttons under the central touchscreen have been replaced by physical buttons and dials, while the rest of the centre stack has been redesigned to include more air vents and a repositioned wireless phone charger.There’s also a new steering wheel, plus certain variants get a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. This is up from the 10.25-inch unit currently fitted to the Staria.The Staria Lounge, which isn’t offered in Australia, gets a new shift-by-wire gear selector mounted on the steering column, like other current Hyundais, whereas the regular Staria sticks with a regular centre console-mounted gear selector.Other new features include Digital Key 2 access via a smartphone, a walkaway locking function, updated built-in dash cam and multi-zone voice recognition.Under the skin there is tweaked suspension for better passenger comfort and stability, extra sound-deadening materials, plus hydro bushings in the chassis in the top-spec Lounge trims.The powertrains remain unchanged. In South Korea the Staria comes either with a 3.5-litre V6 engine that runs on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid engine.In Australia the Staria currently comes with either a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.At this stage it’s unclear whether the hybrid engine will arrive with this update. It’s currently only built in left-hand drive guise.Additionally, Hyundai is gearing up to reveal its “biggest EV yet” at the Brussels Motor Show in early January. Slotting above the Ioniq 9, it’s understood this will be an electric version of the Staria.Hyundai hasn’t confirmed many details, however this new EV will have an 800V electrical architecture like the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9.There technically is already an electric version of the Staria in the form of the ST1, which is an electric version of the Staria Load but with a box-body rear.It features a front-mounted electric motor that produces 160kW and 350Nm which is fed by a 76.1kWh battery pack. This allows for a claimed range up to 317km.The battery has a peak DC charging rate of 350kW, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes. There’s also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to power appliances using the battery pack.It’s unclear whether Hyundai will make any changes to the ST1’s powertrain for this potential forthcoming electric Staria. It could gain a larger battery pack from the likes of the Ioniq 9.

In 2025, no other car company in Australia will offer quite the combination of body styles and powertrain choices for buyers seeking an SUV or crossover with three rows of seating as Hyundai.

Hyundai has added rain sensing wipers and Bluelink connected services to its 2025 Staria van and people mover range.Bluelink gives owners the ability to geo-fence their car, adds voice recognition, live weather info, remote control of the HVAC system, send-to-car navigation directions and more.Staria Elite and Highlander people mover trims, along with the Premium van, also benefit from a new key fob.All Staria Loads now get aluminium badging and extra USB-C charging ports with a $500 price increase across the board. The Hyundai Staria and Staria Load range now spans $49,500 to $67,500 before on-road costs.Also changed is the blind-spot safety, with the Korean brand introducing a new system with audio and visual warnings for the five-star ANCAP rated people mover.A front-wheel drive 3.5-litre V6 petrol making 300kW and 331Nm is available on all three people mover trims. There is no update on the Staria hybrid for Australia at this time.The basic Staria people mover is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while the Staria Elite adds power sliding doors, larger 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen, push-button start and leather-appointed seats.The top-spec Highlander gets a larger digital driver's display, heated and ventilated seats, premium cabin trims and a dual-pane sunroof.Meanwhile, a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel (130kW/430Nm) paired with all-wheel drive is a $3000 option. This is the only engine choice for the Staria Load van.The Load is offered in two and five-seat configurations, with the Premium van equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights to distinguish it from the base model.Hyundai's van has a wide range of rivals, which include the Kia Carnival, LDV Mifa, Volkswagen Caravelle, Ford Transit Custom and Toyota Hiace.“2025 Staria and Staria Load bring enhanced convenience and style while continuing to give customers a range of spacious and comfortable vans and people-movers with class-leading standard safety features,” said Hyundai Australia CEO Ted Lee.2025 Hyundai Staria pricingAll prices are before on-road costs.2025 Hyundai Staria Load pricingAll prices are before on-road costs.

The ST1 is an all-electric platform with the face of the Staria van.

After much speculation Hyundai Motor Company has confirmed a hybrid version of its Staria people mover, with pre-orders opening overnight prior to the new model hitting the domestic South Korean market in March.

Hyundai Australia has applied a price increase to some of its most popular models, with more to come in the near future.The brand has increased pricing for its i30 hatch and Sedan, as well as the Staria van and people mover, by hundreds of dollars, though

The days of vans with poor safety standards being widely accepted seem to be passing by, with commercial vehicles getting safer each year.